backtracking

USAGE SUMMARY

"backtracking" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an action verb meaning to retrace one's steps. For example, "John had to backtrack to find his lost keys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He also accused ministers of recently backtracking on a pledge to require hospitals to always tell a patient or relatives when a blunder occurs, which could let mistakes be covered up.

The Guardian

Now it is reluctantly backtracking.

The Guardian - Books

Whether or not backtracking on his promise will hurt Mr Obama remains to be seen.After the briefest of breaks following his primary victory, Mr Obama began a tour of swing states to court wavering independents.

The Economist

In Japan, newspapers reflected a mixed reaction: the liberal Asahi Shimbun said Mr Koizumi's handling of the visit was "not worthy of praise", while the conservative press accused the prime minister of backtracking on his election promises to visit the shrine on the anniversary of the surrender.Mr Koizumi did not make it clear if his visit to the Yasukuni shrine was an official one.

The Economist

The government has maintained an icy silence in response to Mr Simicska's outbursts, and by Monday morning, the oligarch appeared to be backtracking.

The Economist

He has been backtracking ever since and, over the past months, he and his men have been calling for the Lusaka accords to be revised.The revision they want most is that all non-invited foreign forces should be withdrawn immediately from Congo.

The Economist

Willem Buiter, chief economist at Citigroup, has argued that up to €2 trillion of liquidity support may be needed.Another disappointment of the February 4th summit was the perception that European leaders seem to be backtracking on plans to enhance the clout of the EFSF.

The Economist

Under LDP pressure, Mr Noda is also backtracking from the more unworkable campaign promises on pensions, child care and help for the poor.The prime minister is also staking his reputation on a second belief, that Japan needs to restart some of its nuclear reactors to prevent the economy being crippled by energy shortages.

The Economist

"It is hard and often discouraging to work here, but although backtracking from authorities is part of daily business life, things are slowly changing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Without the supreme leader's endorsement, Mr Khatami's government could not have dreamt of half-backtracking on the fatwa to murder Salman Rushdie and thus pave the way for better relations with the European Union.

The Economist

The right counterfactuals to be used are non-backtracking counterfactuals that typically hold the past fixed up until the time at which the counterfactual antecedent is supposed to obtain.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "backtracking" to describe a situation where someone reverses a decision or action, especially in political or strategic contexts. It implies a prior commitment that is now being abandoned.

Common error

Avoid using "backtracking" when simply expressing regret or acknowledging a mistake. "Backtracking" implies a deliberate reversal of a previously stated position or action, not just a feeling of remorse.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "backtracking" is as a gerund or present participle, often used to describe an action in progress or a state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms that "backtracking" is a correct and usable word in written English, functioning as an action verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "backtracking" functions as a gerund or present participle, commonly used to describe the act of reversing a previous position or action, especially in political and strategic contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage often implies inconsistency or wavering. It is primarily found in news and media sources, maintaining a neutral to professional register. Recognizing its nuances and applying it accurately will improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reversing course

Emphasizes a change in direction or strategy, similar to retracing steps.

retracting statements

Focuses on withdrawing or taking back previously made declarations.

reneging on commitments

Highlights the failure to fulfill promises or agreements.

doing an about-face

Suggests a sudden and complete reversal of opinion or policy.

taking a step back

Implies a temporary withdrawal or pause to reassess a situation.

retreating from a position

Indicates a withdrawal from a previously held belief or stance.

going back on a promise

Specifically addresses the act of breaking a commitment.

changing one's mind

A general term for altering a decision or opinion.

altering course

Similar to reversing course, but can imply a less drastic change.

backing down

Suggests yielding or conceding a point after initial resistance.

FAQs

How is "backtracking" typically used in a sentence?

"Backtracking" is often used to describe a reversal of policy or a retreat from a previous commitment, as in "The government is "backtracking on" its environmental pledges".

What are some synonyms for "backtracking" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "reversing course", "retracting statements", or "reneging on commitments".

Is "backtracking" a formal or informal term?

"Backtracking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's particularly common in news and political analysis.

What's the difference between "backtracking" and simply changing one's mind?

"Backtracking" implies a more significant reversal, often involving a public commitment or policy. "Changing one's mind" is a more general term for altering a decision or opinion.